Local public libraries around the county are reporting a steady increase in the use of their services.
The North Jefferson County Libraries, in Clancy and Montana City, have seen a 7% increase this fiscal year in items checked out, according to Director Carly Delsigne. Delsigne said all categories of materials showed increased usage — including a 10% increase in circulation of children’s materials, and a 38% increase in the use of digital materials.
“We saw a 6% increase in attendance, so we averaged 29 items and 50 people each hour in the last fiscal year,” Delsigne told The Monitor in an email.
The Boulder Community Library also has experienced an gain in library usage. “Our increase has been in new library card users and program attendees,” said Librarian Jodi Smiley. “When we have programs lately, we have to have people register for most of them” due to growing popularity.
The Whitehall Community Library also reported it has been busy.
Do the librarians know why there has been an increase?
One explanation might be the population growth in Jefferson County. Smiley said, “We have seen many new people move to Boulder over the past five years, and they really seem excited by all that the library has to offer considering how small we are.”
Other factors may contribute to the uptick. “I don’t think these increases are out of the ordinary,” Delsigne said. “The increase in digital usage is probably due to growing awareness of this service. Though internet access and cost continues to be an issue, the technology delivering these resources has improved now, as has the ability to access these resources.”
